Investigations into condition of Pilot Us taking place

INVESTIGATIVE works are being carried out on the historic fishing boat Pilot Us at Hay’s Dock. 

Workers from Malakoff were seen inspecting the boat, which is nearly 100-years old, on Monday.

Shetland Amenity Trust confirmed it was carrying out investigations into her condition but said it could not give an update on any timescales for work to take place.

“We hope we will have more information on the next steps in November,” the amenity trust added.

It comes after a public meeting was held last year about the future of the boat, which attracts keen local interest.

That meeting heard the Pilot Us was set to be taken inside, with hopes to carry out a 3D scan and full survey of the vessel.

The trust’s cultural heritage manager Jacqui Birnie said the best way to preserve her would be to take her out of the water and dry her out slowly.

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Pilot Us is owned by Shetland Islands Council but is kept under the care of the amenity trust.

Shetland Amenity Trust said in March it had tasked Malakoff with pumping the water out of the damaged vessel and inspecting it internally.

“They will then provide a report on its viability. We have obtained partial 3D scans and also plan to board over her deck.

“We will share a further update on our progress, when we have received all the reports and completed our appraisals.”

It is likely the Pilot Us will be moved to the slip and lifted into storage, where she would then dry out for around two years before undergoing conservation.

She would then likely remain as part of the Shetland Museum and Archive’s collection, though not on the water.

“The ongoing work will help us determine if this course of action is feasible,” the trust said in March.